Topic: India

According to a report published Friday, Apple is looking to consolidate its logistics operations in India, and thus gain more control over regional sales channels, by establishing a centralized distribution center in the country.

Apple crushed Samsung in the emerging market for premium smartphones in India during October, taking a leading 66 percent share of sales. Samsung's second place accounted for 23 percent of sales from Galaxy S7 and similar phones, while Google--which has made the subcontinent a focus--took 10 percent of sales. Only 1 percent was attributed to other makers.

Once Apple's largest growth market, revenues from Greater China slid 30 percent during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2016, prompting the company to turn at least part of its focus toward prospects in India.

India's government recently invited Apple, Google, Microsoft and Samsung to discuss embedding government-funded biometric technology into products sold within the country as part of an effort to register and authenticate its citizens. Apple did not attend.

India's finance minister has reportedly ratified a proposal that would allow single-brand retailers like Apple to be exempt for local sourcing rules for three years if they provide "cutting-edge" technology.

Apple may consider India one of its important markets for the future, but its sales performance in the country in 2016 has fallen 35 percent year over year, causing a significant loss in overall marketshare, new estimates show.

Apple's 40.4 million iPhones shipped during the June quarter -- a 15 percent decline year-over-year -- were still enough to keep it in second place in the worldwide smartphone market, which reversed recent trends and grew "modestly," according to research firm Canalys.

Finally clearing out legal obstacles, the cabinet of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to approve an exemption enabling Apple's first retail stores in the country, a report said on Wednesday.

Despite a recent trip by Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook to meet with local officials, the Indian government on Monday announced that it will not allow the company to sell refurbished iPhones in its country.